‘We Are Dying In Silence’ — Sokoto Residents Tell Why They Trooped Out For Atiku

It was not only a marketing campaign rally. For many residents who lined the highway from Sultan Abubakar III International Airport to the ADC State Secretariat on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, it was a protest towards starvation, insecurity and neglect.

It took the motorcade of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, about three and a half hours to cowl a journey that ordinarily takes minutes, as 1000’s deserted their retailers, places of work and farms to affix the procession.

At the flag-off, Atiku restated his pledge to deal with insecurity and introduce a production-based subsidy for petroleum merchandise refined in Nigeria to deliver down the price of dwelling.

But on the streets, residents informed LEADERSHIP in their very own phrases on Thursday why they got here out.

Mallam Sabiu Faruk Maishanu, a resident of Sokoto metropolis, mentioned the hardship had turn into insufferable.

“Atiku and the ADC are God-sent. We buy fuel for N1,800 and sometimes N2,000. It is wild; we are dying in silence. Atiku will give us back subsidy,” he mentioned.

Saidu Malunfashi, a cattle dealer, mentioned cattle rustling had destroyed his livelihood.

“Cattle rustlers, as a result of insecurity, have ended my business. This is because of the bad government of Bola Tinubu. Most people have also lost their farms. Insha Allah, he must go,” he mentioned.

Mohammed Nahuche mentioned Governor Ahmad Aliyu had deserted the great folks of Sokoto

“Governor Aliyu of Sokoto does not deserve a second term. He has no concern for human welfare, and no projects are seen in Sokoto. He has abandoned the people of Kebbe, Rabah and Tangaza where insecurity is ravaging,” he mentioned.

A preferred journalist in Sokoto, who pleaded anonymity for concern of victimisation, confided in LEADERSHIP that the ADC momentum rattled the Sokoto State Government.

“Governor Aliyu is scared of ADC. He has been asking us to help him,” the journalist mentioned.

Tajudeen Abbas, a pensioner, mentioned he had by no means seen such a crowd in Sokoto.

“It took ADC three hours from the Airport to bring Atiku to the ADC State Secretariat due to the mammoth crowd. I can tell you, Atiku is taking Sokoto,” Abbas mentioned.

Atiku mentioned Sokoto was intentionally chosen for the flag-off due to its historic significance and fame for peace. He vowed that alleged makes an attempt to frustrate the marketing campaign wouldn’t cease the ADC.

The ADC additionally alleged that the Sokoto State Government denied it entry to public amenities and sealed its marketing campaign workplace on Ahmadu Bello Way.

The Sokoto State Government has denied any directive to frustrate the ADC. The Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, had earlier denied that accommodations have been requested to not accommodate ADC supporters. At the identical time, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, mentioned the sealing of the workplace was over possession points, not politics.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has additionally ordered an investigation into Atiku’s allegation that protesters have been recruited to disrupt the rally, a declare the Service described as inconsistent with its operations.

Sokoto is a conventional APC stronghold and residential to the Sultanate. The dimension of the gang that welcomed Atiku and the anger expressed by odd residents over gas costs, insecurity, and governance sign that 2027 in Sokoto is not going to be a walkover for any social gathering.